Eid-ul-Fitr observance: Embody lessons of Ramadan in daily lives – Pres Ali

President Dr Irfaan Ali is encouraging Muslims to carry the lessons of Ramadan beyond the holy month and into their daily lives, as he underscored the importance of finding inner peace through contentment.
“As we conclude Ramadan, there are some aspects of Ramadan that we must take forward that would help us to be better individuals, that would help us to appreciate life in a greater way, that would help us to inculcate humility and honour in our daily life. That would help us to understand our responsibilities to our parents, our responsibilities to the elders, our responsibilities to our families, our responsibilities to the community and our responsibilities as members of the family of humanity,” the Head of State noted.
On Saturday, the Guyanese leader joined hundreds of Guyanese for an early morning prayer at the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) ground on Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, to celebrate the joyous occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Addressing the congregation, the President delivered a message focused on inner peace, unity and compassion, noting that societies which enjoy peace must never take it for granted.
“Today [Saturday] as we gather here in Guyana to celebrate Eid, we do so under circumstances in a world where peace is elusive,” he said. President Ali went on to urge worshippers to remember the spiritual discipline cultivated during Ramadan, such as patience, humility, charity and mindfulness, and apply those lessons beyond the holy month.

“Ramadan was that period that allowed us to demonstrate and prove to ourselves that we are capable of executing these responsibilities; that we are capable of sharing love, that we are capable of being charitable, and that we are capable of honouring our parents and elders,” he said. The President also spoke about the concept of inner peace in Islam, explaining that it begins with remembrance of God. Quoting the Quran, he reminded the gathering that “in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest”, noting that prayer and faith strengthen the direct connection between believers and their Creator.
He outlined several principles for achieving inner peace, including contentment with God’s decree, patience during hardship, gratitude during times of blessing and purifying the heart from jealousy, greed and hatred. “When we achieve inner peace, we are able to spread peace with those around us. We are able to lift others up, spread joy and teach patience in our own lives,” President Ali said.

The Head of State also used the occasion to emphasise the importance of family bonds by urging citizens to honour their parents and maintain unity among relatives. “Too many of our families are broken by siblings fighting against each other,” he said. “Let this Eid be the one in which you bury your pride…pick up the phone and call your sibling and simply say Eid Mubarak.”
He reminded the gathering that caring for parents and elders is a central teaching in Islam and one of the highest forms of service. Following the prayers at the MYO grounds, President Ali continued his annual Eid observances by travelling to his childhood home in Leguan and later to his residence in Leonora, where he hosted his traditional Eid breakfast. The President also visited several families throughout the day, extending Eid greetings and joining them in their celebrations.